Andy Montoya
Turkey head cheese is a healthier alternative to hogshead cheese, made from whole turkeys instead of pork. But what is head cheese, and why is it called cheese?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main ingredient | Meat from a pig's head |
| Other ingredients | Tongue, snout, cheek, ears, sometimes heart, and sometimes feet |
| Other ingredients | Onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic |
| Seasoning | Garlic, parsley, basil, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning |
| Texture | Softer and more spreadable than hog's head cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Turkey head cheese is made from whole turkeys
Head cheese, or hogshead cheese, is made from pig scraps, primarily from the animal's head, including the tongue, snout, cheek, ears, and sometimes the heart and feet. The eyes and brain are usually left out. The meat is boiled, releasing collagens that form a jelly, which can be amplified with gelatin or aspic. This jelly-like substance is then pressed into a mould with chunks of meat.
The name 'head cheese' comes from the Latin 'forma', which refers to the mould used to make both head cheese and cheese itself. The French word for cheese, 'fromage', also comes from 'forma'. Head cheese is also said to have a cheese-like texture.
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Turkey head cheese is a healthier alternative to hogshead cheese
Hogshead cheese, also known as head cheese or hog head cheese, is made from pig scraps that primarily come from the animal's head, including the tongue, snout, cheek, ears, and sometimes the heart and feet. The eyes and brain are usually left out. The meat is boiled, which releases natural collagens that form a jelly. This jelly is often amplified with gelatin or aspic, and the mixture is pressed into a mould along with chunks of meat.
Turkey head cheese, on the other hand, is made from whole turkeys. It follows the same process as hogshead cheese but replaces all the pork meat with turkey. Turkey head cheese does not use gelatin, which gives it a softer, more spreadable texture compared to hogshead cheese.
In terms of taste, turkey head cheese has an impressive flavour and does not have the jelly goop that is sometimes associated with hogshead cheese. It is a healthier alternative to hogshead cheese and is becoming increasingly popular.
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Turkey head cheese is made by boiling animal parts
To make turkey head cheese, the whole turkey is boiled, releasing its natural collagens. These collagens then cool and form a jelly-like substance. This jelly is then amplified with gelatin or aspic and pressed into a mold along with chunks of meat. The result is a softer, more spreadable texture than traditional hogshead cheese.
The name "head cheese" comes from the Latin "forma", which refers to the mold used to make both head cheese and cheese itself. Some also say that it's because head cheese has a cheese-like texture. However, there is no dairy in head cheese.
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Turkey head cheese is made without gelatin
Head cheese is made by boiling the selected animal parts, which releases their natural collagens. These collagens cool and form a kind of jelly, which is then often amplified with gelatin or aspic. This jelly-like substance is then pressed into a mould along with chunks of meat.
However, turkey head cheese does not use gelatin to amplify the jelly. Instead, it relies on the natural collagens released from boiling the turkey meat. This results in a softer, more spreadable texture compared to traditional hogshead cheese.
By eliminating the gelatin, turkey head cheese offers a healthier alternative to the classic hogshead cheese. It provides a similar flavour and texture profile without the need for added gelatin or pork products. This makes it a desirable option for those seeking a more nutritious choice without compromising on taste or consistency.
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Turkey head cheese is made without dairy
Turkey head cheese is a healthier version of hogshead cheese. It is made in the same way, but uses turkey instead of pork. It has a softer, more spreadable texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Turkey head cheese is made by replacing the pork meat in hogshead cheese with turkey meat.
Hogshead cheese is made from pig scraps that primarily come from an animal's head: tongue, snout, cheek, ears, sometimes heart, and sometimes feet.
The meat is boiled, releasing natural collagens that form a jelly, which is then pressed into a mould with chunks of meat.
